Anya Parasher ’24 finished her summer working in the mayor’s office with a chance to meet President Biden when he, members of his staff, and New Mexico government officials visited Belen to promote clean energy and job creation. “We talked about the importance of including youth voices and advocates in decisions, especially in ones that affect local communities,” Anya says. “He said that he hopes more youth feel encouraged to be involved in policy and government.”
Anya had worked at the office of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller since January 2022 on such projects as Bank on Burque, youth housing, and the Stories of Us initiative as well as mentoring with First Lady Liz Kistin Keller ’00.
She visited the Arcosa Wind Towers in Belen, funded with $1.1 billion by the Inflation Reduction Act, where she heard from President Biden, Senator Martin Heinrich, Senator Ben Ray Lujan, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. She also spoke with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “I watch her a lot during White House press briefings, so it was really cool to meet her and talk to her!”
